It has often been criticised that neighbouring countries give preference to each other when it comes to the points. The Eurovision history has taught us that there is a certain sooth. Greece and Cyprus; the Scandinavian countries including Iceland; Finland and Estonia: the Balkan countries; the ex-Soviet countries and the Benelux countries have always given high votes to each other. In the voting procedure it has often caused some booing.

It has often been criticised that neighbouring countries give preference to each other when it comes to the points. The Eurovision history has taught us that there is a certain sooth. Greece and Cyprus; the Scandinavian countries including Iceland; Finland and Estonia: the Balkan countries; the ex-Soviet countries and the Benelux countries have always given high votes to each other. In the voting procedure it has often caused some booing.

This is mainly due that the fact that the countries are good neighbours, but even more the artists are known in the neighbour countries. For example a Željko Joksimović is not only popular in Serbia and Montenegro, but also in Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Slovenia and even beyond.

Another aspect is certainly the diaspora of certain countries, e.g. a lot of Greeks live spread out over Europe, of course they will also love their home country’s Eurovision entry.

When a country has the honour of being a host country, the neighbour countries are always a bit more making an effort to send good songs. Sometimes neighbour countries have won the ESC, e.g.: UK won in Ireland 1971, 1997, the UK won in Ireland 1981, Luxembourg won in Germany 1983, Norway won in Sweden 1985, Italy won in Yugoslavia 1990, Latvia won in Estonia 2001or Denmark won in Sweden 2000 and 2013.

This year Spain is sending a very special song, it would be a triumph to see Spain winning in Portugal.

About me: As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!